Man Utd' Martinez given threatening message to 'watch out' ahead of Fulham clash

A pointed message from Fulham forward Adama Traoré to Lisandro Martínez means all eyes will be on their dual today.

The clash is pivotal for Ruben Amorim's United side as they aim to climb into the top half of the table.

Currently sitting seven points behind 10th-placed Fulham, a win could close the gap to just four points.

The two teams last met on the opening day of the 2024/25 season, where United secured a narrow 1-0 victory courtesy of a late debut goal from summer signing Joshua Zirkzee.

One of the game’s standout battles was the duel between Martínez and Traoré, which saw the Argentine defender eventually prevail.

Early in that match, Traoré had the upper hand, showcasing his trademark pace and power.

However, Martínez adjusted, using his own physicality and defensive nous to neutralize the threat.

Speaking to Sky Sports post-match in August, Martínez reflected on both the duel and broader criticisms of his ability to handle the physical demands of the Premier League.

"First of all, I always believe in myself and my strength. I know that I’m not really, really tall, but I will go into every ball and every duel with personality," Martínez said.

"I sent him [Traoré] to the gym, no? No, he’s really difficult to play against, this opponent. I learned from the first one because in the first situation, he killed me, and then I killed him back."

Traoré didn’t let Martínez’s comments slide, cheekily tagging him in an Instagram story with the caption, "Don't worry, we will meet again."

Since then, Traoré has often featured as a substitute for Fulham and is likely to face Martínez once more during Sunday’s game.

Martínez, meanwhile, was an unused substitute in United's recent league match against Brighton but has been a key figure for Amorim this season, starting in all 18 of his Premier League appearances.

The stage is set for another thrilling battle between the two as United look to close the gap on Fulham and improve their league standing.